With school activities on the rise, the need for funds to support them is important. The economy has caused many schools to feel the pinch of reduced monies for school events. One way to acquire the needed support, and make sure these activities can go on, is to host a Pledge Drive Fundraiser.

Students can be proactive by helping out with the drive itself. This will give the students a deeper appreciation for the things they do get to do, via their school, by aiding in raising the money to support the activities needing help. The host/hostess of this fundraiser will want to seek the help of parent volunteers and faculty volunteers as well. The more involved the wider the area which can be reached.

All volunteers can meet on an a day where they can blitz the town in one swoop. Stop by businesses, neighborhoods, churches, anywhere people are. No need to take a pledge then or collect. Allow time for the flier to be read. Consider passing out school stickers with your mascot and school name on them. People love getting free things. Besides it will be a visual representation of your school and keep your school needs on their minds. Don’t forget to include a list of activities the Pledge Drive will cover.

On the day you pass out the fliers, be sure you DO take names and numbers. Make arrangements to call or go by where the potential school supporters are at. If you say you will be by the following Monday, then be there. You’re apt to lose pledges if you don’t stick to your word.

You should make arrangements with the PTA/School for a couple of drawings to take place as a thank you for those who pledged to the school. A dinner for four, at a nice eatery or coupons for services such as lawn mowing, window washing, trash collecting and so forth can be the prizes offered. Make it something nice that will be remembered. The students can be the ones who fulfill the redeemable coupons. Try though to fulfill the services offered within a month of the drives completion. Sooner, if the one who wins the service asks for it to be done ASAP.

You might consider having the drawing, for prizes, at a place that will be easy to find, such as at the school who is hosting the event. Arrange to have the drawing take place in the schools cafeteria, auditorium, or gym. Have a few school t-shirts, on hand, to throw out into the audience.

Be sure you give everyone there the opportunity to share in the fun by announcing the amount of money raised. Give a short recap of the Pledge Drive and what it will accomplish. Thank all who donated and were there.

After all is said and done, the students can create a thank you note, via the newspaper. This will be appreciated by all those citizens who made the effort to help out. Remember, a key to a successful fundraiser is to talk it up with enthusiasm!